The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have agreed to a one-year contract with Gehamat Shibasaki for the 2023 season.
Shibasaki joined North Queensland late in the 2022 season on a train and replacement deal and immediately impressed Cowboys coaching staff.
The 24-year-old centre was outstanding in five appearances for the Mackay Cutters, registering two tries, three line-breaks, 28 tackle-breaks and a remarkable 178 running metres a game.
Shibasaki’s one-year deal completes a fairytale homecoming. Born in Townsville, he played his junior football for Townsville Brothers and graduated from renowned rugby league nursery Ignatius Park College in 2015. He made 13 NRL appearances for the Brisbane Broncos between 2018-19 and 14 for the Newcastle Knights in 2020-21. Shibasaki then had a brief stint in Japanese Rugby in early 2022 before returning to North Queensland late in the season.
Shibasaki’s younger brother Jamal is also contracted to the Cowboys and will join the Young Guns program for the 2023 season.
“We brought Gehamat in on a train and replacement contract late last season and he impressed everyone with his professionalism, energy and enthusiasm,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“Gehamat adds experience and depth to our outside back stocks. We know he will train hard and tick every box off the field, which is what Todd and his coaching staff ask of our players.
“It’s fantastic we have been able to bring a North Queenslander home and he now gets a great opportunity to add to his tally of first grade games.”
